Abstract

Sustainable design is an important goal in architecture. Sustainability could be approached with low energy and high thermal comfort buildings. In this study, a bungalow house as a BASECASE model was simulated with “DesignBuilder” software based on “Energy Plus”. Then influence of double glazing, external blind and double skin façade (DSF) on energy consumption and thermal comfort of master bedroom (with cooling) and living room (without cooling) were explored. Results showed that outside blind with high reflectivity slats installed at daytime (8 A.M. to 6 P.M.) could save more cooling energy of master bedroom rather than double glazing. DSF (inner skin: clear, outer skin: double glazing) with full daytime internal blind would reduce energy consumption but its amount was less than other alternatives. If installation of inside blind of DSF is considered at daytime, energy saving difference between DSF and other alternatives would be decreased. DSF pulled down air temperatures of living room and ameliorated its thermal comfort condition. In living room, DSF presented best suitable comfort values. In master bedroom, integration of double glazing and external blind not only saved more energy, it also would give best annual thermal comfort condition.

Key words: Energy consumption, thermal comfort, double skin façade (DSF), single skin façade (SSF).